We want to install a permanent mirror in a new shower, but hope to find a permanent way to prevent it from fogging up.

I have seen gooseneck mirrors that hook up to the showerhead itself so as to run hot water behind the mirror, which supposedly prevents fogging, but I'm wondering if there's a way to do a permanent installation. I'm imagining maybe building in a mirror to the wall of the shower and somehow running the hot water pipes behind it. Would that work? Have you ever seen anything like this? Or is there a better way to get a fog-free mirror experience in the shower?

13 Answers
13

Yes, install heating cable behind the mirror - it will heat the mirror and water will not condense on the mirror. Heating cable manufacturers even offer some special kits for that - like this one from DEVI.

Is it really safe to install electrical appliances in a shower?
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SpikeJul 31 '11 at 22:59

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@Spike: Heating cables for such installations feature multiple layers of insulation and even a surrounding wire mesh that can (and should) be grounded. Add to this "differential" circuit breakers - and risk of electric shock becomes lower than risk of falling and getting a head injury that way. Electric water heaters don't make you worry, do they?
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sharptoothAug 1 '11 at 5:16

@sharpooth: No, that sounds about perfect. The picture on the Devi site had it behind a sink. I didn't know it would be rated for inside showers. Also, just about everything makes me worry. I worry. I'm a worrier.
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SpikeAug 1 '11 at 10:58

@sharptooth - We needn't worry about electric water heaters because the drum of the water heater and the plumbing has a good path to ground. You cannot say the same about a mirror in a shower - the human could easily be the best path to ground. I'm not saying that the mirror heaters are dangerous, I'm just saying it's not apples-to-apples wrt electrocution risk.
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alx9rDec 13 '12 at 6:44

@alx9r: You can't be sure about what the plumbing is made of and how exactly it is laid in the ground. It can be made of plastic and therefore ungrounded. What you claim is a common misconception that sometimes causes electrocution.
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sharptoothDec 13 '12 at 7:14

A good ventilation fan, to remove the steam is the first step. Then you need a heated mirror, or try to putting a floor heating mat behind the mirror. If the mirror is warmer then the tiles then most condensation will form on the tiles rather then mirror.

It's not a permanent solution, but an easy solution is to get yourself a facial scrub that has glycerin in it. (A lot of them do. Get one that's a gel, not a cream.) Take a little dab of that and rub it on the mirror, and it'll stay fog-free for the duration of your shower. Bonus: Maybe it'll help encourage you to use a proper facial scrub rather than just using regular soap. :)

As someone else said above, though, spit does also work, though of course is a bit grosser.

Just spit on your mirror and smear it all over it every time before you get out of the shower. I tried all the above a long time ago and did the spit as an experiment and it worked! When you pick up your mirror to use it just give it a rinse under the water and no fog the entire use. Promise.